Latest news with #NFB
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
31 digital hubs launched to boost internet access in public schools
The launch of 31 new digital connection points under Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) is seen as a key driver in this push, expanding access across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. (File photo) In a major step toward closing the digital divide in education, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are ramping up efforts to connect all public schools to the internet by the end of 2025. The launch of 31 new digital connection points under Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) is seen as a key driver in this push, expanding access across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. led the official launch of the NFB expansion on July 7 in Leyte, affirming the administration's goal to bring affordable, fast, and reliable internet to underserved communities and schools, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). 'Mahigit 600 tanggapan ng gobyerno ang magkakaroon ng mabilis at maaasahang internet. Mapapakinabangan ito ng halos 17 milyong Pilipino. At kapag buo na ang National Fiber Backbone, maaari pang mabawasan ang gastos sa mga telco at internet providers dahil may sarili na tayong imprastruktura. Mas abot-kayang internet, mas maraming Pilipino ang konektado,' said Marcos. (More than 600 government offices will have fast and reliable internet. Around 17 million Filipinos will benefit from this. And once the National Fiber Backbone is complete, we may even reduce costs with telcos and internet providers because we will have our own infrastructure. More affordable internet means more Filipinos connected.) Among the top beneficiaries of the expansion are public schools, many of which still struggle with poor or no internet connection. Of the nearly 47,000 schools nationwide, thousands remain unserved or underserved, especially in remote provinces. With the addition of 31 new connection hubs, more schools will gain access to critical bandwidth for learning, teaching, and administration. DepEd said the fiber backbone is already transforming learning environments under its Digital Bayanihan Project, launched in partnership with DICT. The program targets last-mile schools with free WiFi, mobile data, and digital support. One such success story is Bay-ang National High School in Ajuy, Iloilo. Previously labeled a 'dead spot,' the school now has working internet access for the first time. Teachers are able to submit online reports, conduct ICT classes, and access e-learning tools on campus. Aside from fiber expansion, the government is deploying short-term digital solutions. The Bayanihan SIM Program began its rollout on June 27 in Bulacan, Zambales, and Quezon, providing free SIM cards with mobile data to over 113,000 learners, 3,800 teachers, and 357 public schools. Looking ahead, the PSIP Connect project—part of the broader PPP for School Infrastructure—will deliver devices, solar-powered internet solutions, and satellite connectivity to underserved schools beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026. Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that digital connectivity is a non-negotiable part of delivering quality education in the 21st century. 'Hindi natin mapapalago ang kalidad ng edukasyon kung hindi konektado ang ating mga paaralan sa mundo. Sa direktiba ni President Marcos at sa tulong ng DICT at ng buong pamahalaan, isinusulong natin ang digital inclusion na tunay na may malasakit,' said Angara. (We cannot improve the quality of education if our schools are not connected to the world. With the directive of President Marcos, and the help of DICT and the entire government, we are pushing for digital inclusion rooted in compassion.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Historic discovery brings Inuit filmmakers' animation to life after half a century
A group of 13 Inuit filmmakers who created 58 animated short films (shorts) in the 1970s will now have their work available for public viewing for the first time after the films were rediscovered, restored, and digitized by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). The shorts were created during a six-week training workshop in Kinngait, formerly known as Cape Dorset, between 1972-1975. The program provided training and equipment to many Inuit artists and musicians which led to the creation of the Sikusilarmiut Animation Studio in Nunavut. The films are now contained within seven digitized film reels available for streaming free of charge on the website, a half-century after they were made. While 17 of those films, created by six of the filmmakers were included in Canada's official program at the Cannes Film Festival in 1974 at Animafest Zagreb, the remaining 41 were never released. In a news release, the NFB credits curator Camilo Martin-Flórez with discovering the films and recognizing how they represent a 'landmark chapter in Indigenous cinema' at the NFB in both scale and significance. The NFB credit the films with marking the emergence of the first New Wave of Inuit animation from Nunavut. The 13 artists whose films have been published include: Aoudla Pudlat, Arniak Pingwartuk, Ituli Etidloie, Ishohagitok E Tugat, Itee Pootoogook, Kanayuk Pootoogook, Mathew Joanasie, Opik Pitseolak, Papirak Pudlalik, Peter Pitseolak, Pitaloosie Saila, Salomonie J Pootoogook and Timmun Alariaq. Several blogs were written on the films by Martin-Flórez, including The Forgotten Reels of Nunavut's Animation Workshop (Beginnings) and (The Legacy). A documentary made in 1976 about the Cape Dorset animation workshop can also be found on the NFB website. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos: Over P500M allotted to restore San Juanico bridge load limit
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Monday that more than P500 million has already been allocated to restore San Juanico Bridge's load limit to 12 to 15 metric tons by December 2025. Speaking at the grand launch of Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project in Palo, Leyte, Marcos tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to expedite the retrofitting and complete restoration of the bridge, citing its burden to residents, businesses, and travelers in the region. ''May higit kalahating bilyong piso na pondo ang nakalaan para maibalik sa labindawala hanggang labinlimang metric tons ang load limit sa susunod na Disyembre,'' Marcos said in his speech. (More than P500 million was allocated to return the load limit to 12 to 15 metric tons by December.) Earlier, the President said he wants to increase the load limits of San Juanico Bridge to 12 tons by December this year. Marcos had apologized to the residents in Samar and Leyte who were affected by the rehabilitation, saying that the government wants to ensure their safety. In May, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that the present load limits of San Juanico Bridge amid its rehabilitation might be increased in the next months. He said the increase in the load limits could be implemented in the last quarter of this year.
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Internet access no longer a privilege but a necessity — Marcos
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. emphasized Monday that having a reliable internet access is no longer a privilege but a necessity. Marcos said this during the grand launch of the National Fiber Backbone Phases 2 and 3 in Leyte province. ''Dahil sa panahon ngayon, hindi na privilege ang pagkakaroon ng access sa mabilis na internet, ito ay pangangailangan na. Kailangan ito sa pagaaral, sa trabaho, sa negosyo at para mapanatili ang koneksyon sa mga mahal sa buhay," Marcos said in his speech. (At this time, having a fast internet access is not a privilege but a necessity. This is needed in studies, work, business and in maintaining connections with our loved ones.) Last month, the President vowed to provide efficient internet connectivity among schools across the country, particularly those situated in far-flung and isolated areas. The National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project seeks to create a robust and secure fiber optic network spanning the entire country. Serving as backbone for enhance internet connectivity, it is aiming for a faster, more reliable, and fully digitalized services for all Filipinos. The Department of Information and Communications Technology is ready to significantly expand NFB's reach from Northern Luzon to several parts of Visayas and Mindanao through NFB Phases 2 and 3. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
CBC
20-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Old NFB head office in Montreal to get new lease on life with mixed-use development
The former home of the National Film Board on Côte-de-Liesse Road in Montreal's Saint-Laurent borough has sat vacant since 2019, but that could soon change. The Canada Lands Company unveiled its plans for the site on Thursday, which includes transforming the area —equivalent in size to approximately six football fields — into a mixed-use residential, commercial and cultural hub. Christopher Sweetnam-Holmes, the Crown corporation's senior director of real estate for Quebec and the Atlantic, said after 30 months of consultations with the public, the project has changed to better answer the community's needs. Issues raised by the community, Sweetnam-Holmes said, included a need for more housing, stores within walking distance and more parks for kids to play in. "So first, we're going to insert 700 units of new residential housing, of which half will be non-market housing," Sweetnam-Holmes said. "So that means social housing, affordable housing, non-profit housing. Then, we're going to repurpose 80 per cent of the buildings on the site, only demolishing 20 per cent." The plans include room for retail and office space, as well as more green space including a big community park centre in the middle of the housing development. And to preserve the legacy of the NFB, Sweetnam-Holmes said there will be a place "where art gets made" and people can take part in cultural activities. Also, the future Côte-de-Liesse REM station, which is slated to open later this year, is less than a kilometre away. Sweetnam-Holmes is hopeful the project will be transformative. "I think it's going to bring a lot of new life," Sweetnam-Holmes said. "Because you're going to have all these new people, you're going to have kids, you're going to have people working here, it's going to become like this really dynamic place." In an interview with CBC, Robert Shearmur, a professor of urban planning at McGill University, struck an optimistic tone when discussing the project. WATCH | What is co-op housing and can it help alleviate housing crisis: How co-operatives could become a hack to Canada's housing crisis 17 days ago Duration 5:18 People who live in them say they offer an attractive, low-cost alternative as the price of renting and buying property rises. Here's how housing co-ops work and why we might start hearing more about them in Canada. He said the Canada Lands Company has a good track record when it comes to listening to communities and coming up with good development ideas and proposals. He did, however, raise a few areas of concern. "These are all wonderful ideas if they work," he said, but added they need to be properly scaled. "There's a very small residential area right next to it. So, for a population of, let's say a couple of thousand people, how much culture, how much community space do you need or would be used?" Shearmur asked. The same question applies to retail and office space. Shearmur said he doesn't believe the population size will necessarily warrant having a big grocery store and people will likely have to do their weekly shopping elsewhere. Which brings us to the issue of cars and where to park them. In its current form, the site will have 350 indoor parking spots for residential use, 180 indoor and 60 outdoor spots for commercial use. Shearmur said that might not be enough. "Unless people happen to work along the REM line, getting to work ... typically requires a car," he said. "I suspect that housing units will be more difficult to sell without at least one space per unit." Meanwhile, housing advocates worry about how affordable the new units will be. " The market prices right now are crazy if you look at the prices in Montreal, and even in Quebec," said FRAPRU coordinator Catherine Lussier. "Even if you go below the market, how much below the market?" Even at 80 per cent, Lussier said tenants risk being priced out. Meanwhile, Sweetnam-Holmes said its impossible at the moment to know what the rents might look like. "All that we know is that they will meet the standards of both the City of Montreal and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) in terms of what they define as affordable housing," he said. According to the CMHC website, "housing is considered affordable if it costs less than 30 per cent of a household's before-tax income." Later this year, Canada Lands Company will start taking proposals from developers who want to make the vision a reality. It says the first residents could start moving in in 2028.
